konster

Konster is a term encountered in contemporary art discourse to describe an interdisciplinary practice that blends visual art, performance, sound, and digital media. It is not a widely standardized term but is used to categorize works and collaborations that cross traditional media boundaries.

Etymology and usage: The word appears to be a neologism formed from the root kunst or konst meaning art in several European languages, combined with a suffix that denotes a practitioner or practice. Its exact etymology is informal and varies by speaker.

Practice and characteristics: Konster projects commonly foreground process over finished product, emphasize site-specific or participatory elements, and employ technologies such as sensors, projection, or online platforms. Collaborations among artists, designers, programmers, and performers are frequent, and works may unfold over time rather than in a single exhibition.

History: The term emerged in online art forums and festival programs in the early 21st century and gained usage in regional gallery scenes as a loose label for boundary-crossing practices. It has since appeared in catalog essays and artist talks to describe a family of works rather than a single movement.

Reception and critique: Critics note that konster can be diffuse and context-dependent, with varying definitions across regions. Proponents argue that it helps describe and compare cross-media practices that resist simple categorization.

See also: intermedia art, new media art, interdisciplinary art.